JV has had some dominant performances against the Astros b****es (Yankees), but other than that it’s been sketchy in the playoffs, especially the WS. He totally failed the team last night and it was down hill after his implosion. JV shouldn’t be a priority in the off season.
I’d move JV to the bullpen the rest of the series. He’s lost the privilege of starting World Series games. And I wouldn’t re-sign him either. Our pitching staff is deep. Use that money for another big free agent splash and extend Tucker.
Verlander might be the only real major blemish pitching-wise for the Astros this postseason. Remember, it took some Yordan heroics to win game 1 against the Mariners. I'm concerned about JV, but I think it's too early for us to panic about the team as a whole. I did not expect us to sweep the Phillies anyway. While I do feel this Phillies team is strongly reminiscent of the 2019 Nationals...I think we get back on track tonight and still win this series in 6 games. Yes, Dusty left JV in too long; he should've pulled him after 4. He had thrown over 30 pitches in the 4th and the bottom of the 4th went by quickly, leaving little recovery time physically and mentally. The Phillies (2nd time thru the order) were teeing off on his breaking ball in the 4th. Even Smoltz was pointing out that JV had lost his fastball mechanics...surely our pitching coaches noticed that too and communicated it to Dusty and JV? This is a textbook case of needing to get him outta there...and JV being nearly 40 years old makes that case even stronger. If this were an early regular season game, maybe it's fine to leave him in to hopefully work it out. But this is the World Series. You need a quick hook on EVERY pitcher, no matter how good he is. Someone should have been throwing in the bullpen as soon as JV gave up the first run. Verlander should not pitch again until game 6 if this series goes that far. Start Urquidy or Garcia in game 5. I also think Dusty left Abreu in too long; it was clear he was starting to labor after 23 pitches or so. With him throwing 32 pitches...Abreu may not be available tonight. The offense is still the biggest issue. King Tuck was great, but I wasn't worried about him anyway. It's Altuve and Mancini that need to figure it out. Oh, and Yordan and Aledmys Diaz too. Speaking of Diaz, he did a poor job of "selling" that HBP, and then he went full stupid (maybe b/c he was pissed) with his undisciplined 3-0 swing. Please give Hensley some at-bats at DH, Dusty! Hell, why not give him a start?
Wheeler is gonna be difficult to score on. Framber needs to bring his A game. Match zeros and get to their pen. Altuve and Alverez need to wake up. Vasquez needs to be DH
Agree -- QUICK HOOK on the World Series is a necessity. Dusty hasn't figured it out yet. Also agree on Hensley getting some ABs at DH. Aledmys and Mancini are just overmatched right now. Aledmys trying to get himself hit by pitch is such a weak mindset. Can't have this as the DH.
I was pretty down at the end of yesterdays game but it wa a super close game and we had a lot of chances to win. Just need to capitalize on those opportunities. We still got 6 games.
Games 3 and 4 are the must wins in this series. Feels like a pretty even matchup tonight. Astros regular bullpen guys were nails again from the 6-9th per usual which was a great sign. Should see a Hensley DH situation tonight which will be great. Hopefully Altuve and Yordan can wake up soon.
Just understand that last night was probably our toughest matchup of this series. Rested Nola vs Verlander's track history. Our Bullpen was still fantastic. The bats did enough. Framber just needs to keep the mental in line tonight and the Astros have a great shot.
I felt worse after the Lidge Pujols game and was sure we were losing the next game in St. Louis. We won and went to our first WS. We feel like crap now but we can still win it all.
Still cannot stress enough Altuve and whoever is playing the DH spot needs to heat up. Those spots are now rally killers. Altuve looks like he’s getting close but close ain’t going to cut it here. I was nervous and depressed for awhile but that was one game and this series is far from over
Mancini against Dominguez was the most overmatched and pathetic AB I’ve seen in a long time. We may as well let our pitchers hit in that spot.
Agreed. Except for I felt great about Oswalt pitching us into the World Series. I feel like tonight’s a loss. But we still win this series.
Well yeah but that’s just what I expect from Mancini. Diaz looked fine until he tried to walk into a pitch. What in the ever loving **** was that?
Done looking at social media posts for the day. Just go win tonight to make us feel better. take out Mancini for the series.
A single most likely wins the game. You think him leaning into a ball to get hit shows he has no confidence himself because of his slump? Because he gets hit, it loads the bases. I think that would have been worse because now the defense can get an out at any base. Plus he's basically relying on McCormick to now get a single to tie or win the game. I guess you could argue, if the bases were loaded, Robertson walk or a hit batter would have tied the game but I don't think Diaz was thinking like that. Did he swing at a 3-0 count?
Wheeler(1.78 era) is their best pitcher. Fastball is electric. Framber (1.42 era)needs to match while our bats wake up. Wheeler vs padres :7.00 innings 1 hit 8ks game one. 6 innings 3 hits 2 runs 8ks game game 5. He’s gonna deal… Framber needs his a game.
